Which mechanism of evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin, leads to the survival of organisms best suited to their environment?

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism proposed by Charles Darwin that explains how species evolve over time. It posits that individuals with traits better suited to their environments are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process leads to the gradual adaptation of populations to their ecological niches.

Natural selection functions on the variation present within a population, where the traits providing a survival advantage become more common in subsequent generations. For example, in a population of animals, those with better camouflage may escape predators more effectively, thus producing more offspring than those without such advantageous traits.

This concept of "survival of the fittest" encapsulates the essence of natural selection, as it is not merely about physical strength but encompasses various traits that confer advantages in specific environmental contexts. Over time, this results in populations that are well-suited to their respective environments through the accumulation of favorable traits across generations.